Sharma: Journalism hitting all-time low

CHIEF JUSTICE Sat Sharma yesterday expressed concern that journalism appears to have hit an all-time low. In a release issued yesterday, Sharma responded to a weekly newspaper article and the easy access to his private telephone number, his telephone records and his personal medical records which were published in the press.

The following is the Chief Justice’s release:
“The Chief Justice wishes to condemn as reprehensible, outrageous and untrue the headline and article contained in a weekly newspaper dated Friday February 25, 2005. The Chief Justice considers the article a scurrilous attack on the personal character of a judge, which may constitute contempt of court. “His Lordship notes that freedom of the press is one of our cherished rights and fundamental freedoms, but it is a right, which is circumscribed by good taste, ethical journalism and respect for the fundamental rights of others. The Chief Justice is concerned that journalism appears to have indeed hit an all-time low.

“The Chief Justice also wishes to point out that the easy access to his private telephone number, his telephone call records and his personal medical records so brazenly published in the press, is a frightening and alarming sign for the future, and is a clear indication of the violation of his fundamental right to privacy. “The Chief Justice however, feels heartened and reassured that there are still many ethical and highly competent journalists who carry out their duties fearlessly, bravely and objectively, without compromising their integrity and ethics.”

Law Association hits media reports

The Law Association yesterday urged Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Geoffrey Henderson, to bring legal action against certain media houses for their reporting of the current controversy over Chief Justice Sat Sharma. The lawyers’ body issued a statement signed by president Russell Martineau SC. “The Council of the Law Association deplores and condemns in the strongest possible terms the continued attacks on the Judiciary and judges of the Supreme Court which have been appearing in the media on an almost daily basis.” The association hit the standards of certain unnamed members of the media.

It slammed news reports whose purpose were solely to “make mischief, create confusion and scandal, and destroy reputations.” Disrespect for the Judiciary, said the association, could subvert the rule of law, and cause a breakdown of law and order in the society. The Law Association said it had to speak out for judges who were constrained by their public positions from defending their own names. The association urged the DPP to “institute proceedings” if appropriate against some media houses for their “scurrilous, scandalous and unwarranted” personal attacks on judges.

Such attacks, they alleged, were calculated to bring the judiciary into disrepute, and to undermine public confidence in the courts. It called on the Media Association and Media Complaints Council to investigate and take action. “The Law Association is committed to taking whatever action is necessary to protect judges and the Judiciary from scurrilous, unwarranted attacks, and to promote the rule of law and respect for the Judiciary.”